What an incredible day

As mentioned in my previous post, a couple of friends and I had decided to take on a Friendraiser for our mutual friend, Elisa Watanabe.  She has been gravely ill and non-responsive for several week now :(

I met Elisa while taking dance lessons.  She is super adorable, genuine, entrepreneurial (she launched a business) and kind.  She also went to school with my cousin, and they remain friends to this day.  So you can imagine how heartbroken I was to hear that this beautiful young woman was struggling significantly.

Not knowing what to do...I knew that I had to do something. Soooo...I was inspired by the Scrapbook Royalty Blog that I've been writing for and asked some friends to help me host a crafting Friendraiser.

Today, I spent 12 hours making cards to sell at our dance studio.  My other friend Elisa (same name) and Katwanya cranked out as much as they could, and by the time we had left, we had easily made at least 100 cards to start our sales.  The proceeds from our participation fee at the 12 hour scrap also went to a local school - so it was a double dose of goodness.

We met several amazing scrapbookers who were so inspired by what we were doing that they gave us the first donations.  UNBELIEVABLY kind of them.  Although, I strongly believe that if you try to lead a happy and good life, that good will follow you.

Additionally, I have to chuckle at the way the world works.  This past week, I passed up an opportunity to purchase a Cricut Expression that was on serious sale.  Well....it looks like I'm going to get one at an even better deal!  One of the women at this 12 hour scrap had bought a bunch of them (probably at an insane sale) and wants to sell me one at a ridiculously low price.  It's not only the machine but also two cartridges and some tools.  She's even happy to hold onto to it for me until December (where my budget allows me to purchase it without feeling guilty).  I think she was so touched by what we were doing that she wanted to help us do more.  Soooo amazing.

By the time the 12 hours of scrapping were finished, Elisa and Katwanya and I must have made at least 100 cards!!!!  And we're all still planning to make more this weekend.  Sales will start this week at the studio and will continue through the holidays.

To top it all off....I came home to the news that our Elisa has made significant progress today and that she was being responsive. 

I am not the most religious person in the world, but even I have to thank God for this amazing turn of events.

Elisa still has a long way to go, but a tiny step to a healthier path is all we ask for...may the forward steps continue!

A Request for Help

Never did I imagine I would post a request for help from the members of this blog for something so personal, but I must.  I think the universe has an unbelievable way of putting you in touch with people who need to be in your world at specific times.

I want to introduce you all to a beautiful spirit named Elisa.

Besides scrapbooking, one of my other hobbies is Latin dancing (salsa, bachata, cha cha cha, etc), which is where I met Elisa.

A couple of weeks ago now, Elisa went into a coma unexpectedly from some serious health complications (as is always the case).  Knowing that there is nothing more that I can do for her health besides pray and support her loved ones, I am still left feeling pretty helpless.

So, rather than focusing on a larger sized crafting for a cause event (as I had planned for in the Spring), I asked the dance studio if they would be okay with me setting up a bin with homemade cards.  All proceeds from the cards sold would go directly to the family to at least help cover some of the medical bills.

And so, I have a call out to help me keep the bin full!

What kinds of cards can you make to donate:

- Christmas

- Kwanzaa

- Hanukkah

- New Year's

- Valentine's Day

- Birthday

- Get well cards (left blank on the inside)....people will then also be left with the option of addressing that card to Elisa so that we can deliver them to her at a later time.
- Than you

The possibilities are endless.....just create!

I would be humbled and very appreciative of your support!

Please email me at nchaidez@gmail.com if you are interested in sending out a card or two.  I will gladly shoot over my home address.  

If you don't have matching envelopes...I will take care of that.  Just please make sure no card is larger than 5x7 inches.

And if anything, some prayers would also be welcome.

Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!

Silly rant!

Who complains about choosing to finish paying off their debts as opposed to indulging in something I want and NOT need!

It's that sort of whining (plus action) that put me on the bad financial path,  Hello, Nubia?!!!!

I would like to take back my previous post and instead celebrate the fact that, yes, I and my business will live without that tool.  It has so far!!!

Why must I be a responsible adult?!!!

Tomorrow, there is going to be a HUGE sale on the one scrapbooking tool that I have been dying to own but could not justify investing in just yet - while I pay off my credit cards.

And why did I start Christmas shopping early to save money......and buy my ticket to DC....and send my sister a couple of presents cuz she's poor and living away from all of us?!

Had I been the normal irresponsible adult I had been a few years ago (with my finances)...I would just charge this item, but alas....I won't.  I'm gonna be good.

I will instead one day pay the full damn price for the gadget.  LOL!

Stupid responsibility ;)

And in case any of you have been eyeing this tool....there is a 40% off sale tomorrow (only) at Cricut.com

Happy Holiday shopping, everyone!